MBC Training: Preparation for a Career With a Future

Medical billing and coding training

The healthcare industry is one of the fastest growing sectors for employment. Careers in healthcare and allied services, from registered nurses and nurses’ aides to radiology technicians and massage therapists, offer plenty of opportunity for growth both professionally and financially. One of the most popular career tracks in healthcare now is medical billing and coding.

Medical billers and coders are some of the most important people working in a medical office, clinic, or hospital environment. Medical coders “translate” a patient’s medical paperwork into specific codes that are then processed by the medical biller and forwarded to the insurance company for reimbursement.

Electronic Health Records (EHR)

Changes in healthcare management in the last few years have opened up a number of encouraging opportunities for anyone with medical billing and coding training.

One of the biggest developments that affects the future of medical billing careers is the anticipated adoption of an Electronic Health Record (EHR). The widespread usage of this paperless form of documentation will help to simplify the coding process and speed up the payment and collection rates.

ICD-10 Coding Transition

The transition from the ICD-9 coding system to the new ICD-10 coding system is arguably one of the biggest challenges facing medical coders. The ICD, or international Classification of Diseases, is a system of codes used to report medical diagnoses and patient procedures on a variety of health-related records, including patient charts, insurance billing, vital records and even death certificates.

The transition from ICD-9 to ICD-10 is a significant one for medical coders because the two systems are so different. The ICD-10 coding system is massively expanded, with more than 68,000 new procedure codes and nearly 55,000 new diagnosis codes. While these additional codes will offer medical coders increased flexibility in reporting medical information and help them streamline the claims process, there is also an increased learning curve.

Job Outlook

The increase in the use of information technology in healthcare situations, as well as the advent of ICD-10 coding, translates to a bright future for medical billing and coding careers. As more providers make the switch over to the ICD-10 system, the need for medical billers and coders with state-of-the-art training, such as that provided in the medical billing and coding program at Southern California Health Institute (SOCHi), will be high. Job availability is not only projected to increase, but salaries are expected to increase as well.

Getting the Right Training

Being prepared for a successful career as a medical biller and coder means getting the best training right from the start. The medical billing and coding training offered at SOCHi not only provides you with the curriculum and hands-on learning you need to become a skilled and organized medical biller and coder, but it also fosters an environment that encourages particular skills that will prove invaluable in your future career, such as attention to detail and critical thinking.

Medical billing and coding is one of the fastest growing careers in the healthcare industry, and future expansion of the coding system and information technology’s role in healthcare will only increase the potential for success in this field. Medical billing and coding training at a professional vocational school such as SOCHi will not only prepare you to step into an entry-level position as a medical biller and coder, but will prepare you for a long-term career in a profession that shows no signs of slowing down.

Revision Disclaimer: As of September of 2018, SOCHi no longer provides AAPC certification for our Medical Billing & Coding students through our curriculum. As our students grow and learn to discover their abilities at SOCHi, so does our curriculum! Our curriculum is adapting and growing to accommodate our diverse student body. Stay tuned to see how SOCHi is growing to assist you on your journey to success!